12 September 2007

Rocking the Cradle of Civilization

It's been a total of approximately 45 hours that I've spent on the ground here in Kuwait and I feel like I've seen it all. I'm not saying that this country does not have anything to offer. I just can't go and see those places. What I can see and where I can go is getting old fast. So far the time here has been very low-stress. We've either slept, ate, or went to the exchange. Pretty soon, we'll start our training and then go on to our next location, Baghdad.

Walking around the base, you generally see the same expression on everyone's faces. The best way to describe it is neutral. Not a lot of smiling, frowning, or any other visible emotion. It's like everyone is on autopilot. The dining hall seems to be the only place where emotion comes out. It's like our teleport to the real world. You see people joking around and generally enjoying themselves (assuming they are eating something that tastes good). The simple things, the things that remind you of home, are treasured commodities - like taking a hot shower. Nothing feels better after a long hot day of sand in your face than a hot shower to wash it all away.

I've turned on my cell phone once to see if I could get a signal and surprisingly got full bars. I tried sending a test text message but I don't know if it worked or not. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

This is supposed to be part of the cradle of civilization. Normally when a person matures, they outgrow the cradle and dispose of it. I guess people here are sentimental and can't move on. The cradle is still here but the paint is faded and flaking off, the wood is all splintery and rotting, and all the nuts and bolts holding it together have rusted away. We'll see if Iraq is any different.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Text messaging worked. I sent you one back yesterday. Guess you haven't gotten it?

Joe Roth said...

Hey! I'm told that large quantities of Visine and Baby Wipes are helpful in Iraq. My HR Director sent those constantly to her Marine son who just completed his 4th deployment there. Let us know if that will help when you have a permanent address and we'll snail mail those and other things you need. Alway thinking of you... Dad

Lori R. said...

So dry heat still feels HOT HOT HOT. What a surprise? Are your quarters air-conditioned? Are your tents/barracks crowded? I know you'll need chap-stix and moisturizer too. It's like being mummified out there. No wonder the Egyptians were so good at it. Same climate.
Always thinking of you..LoveOOXX Mom